There's no fresh snow to report this morning, but I am very hopeful that we'll be getting back to regular snowfall - and lots of it - soon.

Good job too, as we are in need of a fresh layer of snow. Snow conditions were not the best, but yesterday was a beauty of a day with lovely blue skies and sunshine. I like a day like that every now and again - though of course they're much better if they follow 30cm of fresh the night before!

OK, so we should be seeing a change in the conditions today. The day is starting off cloudy and relatively mild, and later on snow should be falling with regular snowfall following through in the coming week along with colder temps.

Strong winds will likely be an issue so it seems we might soon be returning to blizzard like weather conditions.

---

As I am about to post this report at 8:30am, I can confirm that the top lifts at Hirafu and Village are on hold.

A low pressure system is approaching, there is no new snow fall and above 1000m a strong southerly wind is blowing. Peak lift operation and gate openings are undecided yet. Be aware of a change in the weather and expect rapid snowdrift development with the low pressure snowfall. Accidents happen in strong winds and heavy snowfall. Be cautious in bad weather.

Do not enter strictly off limits areas looking for fresh tracks. The patrol are looking for you. From the mornings observation general avalanche risk is low. The light is bad today, surface lumps and bumps are hard to see. Have a good day

---

A message from SnowJapan

SnowJapan 19/20 – working on new stuff

It might still only be the middle of January, but here at SnowJapan we are already working on new content for next season.

Over the last few weeks we have been thinking through what we want to do with the site moving forward. We already had our own ideas and the feedback that we received from hundreds of people in our recent prize draw has also helped us focus on a few areas. Of course, we can’t do absolutely everything we would like to do (sadly, no-one told us where to find that pot of unlimited resources!), but we are pretty excited about some of the things we have planned.

And I am happy to be able to say that we have already started. We’re going to keep details to ourselves for now, but it’s safe to say that our plans are going to keep us very busy right through the year.

Maps

Over the coming weeks you may notice some changes going on with maps on our website. Initially that will involve some of them disappearing. Long story, but don’t worry – it is temporary, and we plan to replace them as soon as is possible.

Reporting from Western Japan

SnowJapan covers the whole of Japan - not just one or two popular regions. Having said that, we are aware that we do not currently offer any of our ‘Now’ daily reporting for areas of Japan to the west of Nagano.

Creating and committing to a new ‘Now’ daily report section is a big decision. We need to find trustworthy people who are both willing to post reports every day throughout the winter season as well as keeping them independent, honest and unbiased. And ideally if we start a new report, we want to be thinking long-term rather than just for one season.

Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to get anything going for regions in Western Japan. But we would like to, so we thought we’d ask our readers. If you think you might know someone who could help, or perhaps if you think you might be that person – please do get in touch with us.

If we feel confident that we can get something of value going, we will.

Thanks.

---

Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 15th January 2019The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!

Ski lifts operating:- All lifts are operating as planned (King Number 2 quad not operating)- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am until 31st January 2019 (500 yen charge required).

Ski lifts operating:- All lifts are operating as planned (Country Road not operating)- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening

-----

Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO resort area.